Ex-Economy Minister Proposes Students Finish School by 16 to Enter Workforce by 21

Former Economy Minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli has proposed to the government that the school leaving age be set at 16.

In doing so, the Pandan Member of Parliament believes that it provides an opportunity for this group to enter the working world at a younger age.

Rafizi also proposed that school should end earlier, allowing students to complete their secondary education by the age of 16 and enter the workforce by 21. He explained that this shift is necessary as Malaysia is an ageing nation. By enabling youth to join the workforce earlier, the country can boost productivity and gain valuable time to address the challenges associated with an ageing population.

Commenting on the presentation of RMK-13, which was said to not focus on economic aspects and development projects, Rafizi explained that these matters had already been given focus in 2023 and 2024, respectively. For RMK-13, Rafizi said that the government is focusing on the education aspect because it considers the sector important for the country’s future development.

Among the issues being given attention was the universal preschool education services involving children as young as five years old.

“This is actually necessary because of the concept ‘garbage in, garbage out’ — if children are not properly educated during their early years, especially between the ages of five and nine, when their developmental potential is at its peak,”

“By the time they enter Year One or Year Five, no matter what efforts are made, they’re already left behind. Other countries invest their resources in early childhood education — not during university or secondary school (Form 1 and so on),” Rafizi said in Parliament yesterday (August 4).

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Rafizi said that if we don’t invest early, we’ll be dealing with the consequences later. Regardless of who forms the government in the future, there must be a priority to ensure that within the next five to ten years, schools across the country can provide universal preschool services to all, he said.

Previously, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the government will make preschool education compulsory from the age of five to enhance educational outcomes.

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